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Written by Gerry Prince
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Wednesday, 17 November 1999 |
Who's afraid of the big, bad Milwaukee Wave?
After a perfect 3-0 start, one might assume the Edmonton Drillers are a little bit cocky and unafraid of the Wave.
But there is a healthy respect on the part of the Drill players for their North Division rivals, as well there should be.
Apart from upsetting Milwaukee in the opening round of the 1996-97 NPSL playoffs, the Drill have had their hands full with the Wave the past three seasons.
The locals are 2-4 versus Milwaukee lifetime, including 2-1 at Skyreach Centre. The Drill's last home-turf victory against Milwaukee was an 8-6 overtime win Jan. 16, 1998.
"They're a very experienced team," said Drill midfielder Carmen D'Onofrio. "They run three lines, too, I believe, and they're solid just like we are. They're playing well now.
"It's going to be a battle all year long. We definitely want to do well but we can't look at this and say it comes down to these two games. It's a long season and a long haul."
Thanks to realignment, Milwaukee - which replaced Buffalo in the North Division - and the Drill face each other eight times between now and March 19.
"We've got these two at home (tonight and Friday)," D'Onofrio said. "In this league especially, home teams tend to do well and we've got to take advantage of this.
"When we go there later this month, it's going to be a battle - a definite war. We may have an advantage because we're at home but they've got a very experienced team. It should be evenly matched."
In addition to sweeping last season's series, Milwaukee ended the Drill's franchise-record nine-game win streak with a 21-6 thumping at the Bradley Centre New Year's Eve. Four days later, the Wave eked out a 10-7 win in the re-match at Skyreach Centre.
Despite sputtering to a 1-1 start, Milwaukee has reeled off three straight wins and improved to 4-1 heading into its two-game set versus the Drill.
Carmine Isacco spent the last two seasons as No. 1 Wave 'keeper Victor Nogueria's understudy. Isacco, the Drill's No. 2 man, knows first-hand what he and his new mates are up against.
"They've got three lines that can score points and three lines that know to play the game really well," said Isacco, a good bet to start Friday's series finale.
"They know they're going to come in here for a battle. From what I know of Milwaukee they're always prepared.
"The best part about it is, we are too."
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